Freeing Celibacy - Rilegato

Mandatory celibacy for Latin rite Catholic priests has been the norm for almost 900 years. Now the clergy sexual abuse scandal and the rapidly declining number of priests have pushed many of the faithful to the point of questioning this tradition of the church. To this sometimes tense discussion of sex and power Donald Cozzens brings his signature calmness, his own gifted experience of celibate life, and his talent for distilling the spiritual truth of the human condition. Cozzens explores priestly celibacy as source of power and burden of obligation, as spiritual calling and gift of the Spirit. Putting mandatory celibacy in historic perspective, he examines the ancient and contemporary experience of married clergy in the Eastern churches and the Roman rite church. It is time, he concludes, to set celibacy free from canonical mandate to become what it is meant to be: a graced way of life for some but not all of the church?s ordained ministers.?Freeing Celibacy, written engagingly and respectfully, is well worth reading. The author brings years of personal and professional experience to the issue of celibacy and its impact on priests and on those preparing for the priesthood.? America?Cozzens?s work raises valid questions about mandatory celibacy?s impact on the people of God and those of whom it is required. It is better to respond to the questions for the good of the church than to run from them at the church?s peril.? America?A thoughtful and deeply spiritual treatise, expressing sincere concern for the future of Catholicism itself.? Midwest Book Review?An important contribution to the current debate about mandatory celibacy, this little book presents an unambiguous, comprehensible articulation of the major concerns centered on the question of priestly celibacy. Cozzens calls for a courageous response from church leaders today to initiate an open dialogue that will result in the freeing of celibacy.? Catholic Studies?Father Cozzens has produced another book in which his fresh viewpoints, his clear affection for his Church and his compassion for those he serves demand serious consideration by bishops, priests and lay readers.? St. Anthony Messenger?Mandatory celibacy for the Latin rite has been the norm for more than 900 years. Now, some inside and outside the church have questioned this tradition. To the debate comes Fr. Cozzens with his own experience of celibate life and his talent for distilling the spiritual truth of the human condition.? Crux?This is a must-read . . . Donald Cozzens?with three other important books to his credit?is becoming a leader of Roman Catholic reform. Nine brief, graceful essays about 12 pages each comprise Freeing Celibacy. It?s easy, convincing reading.? Corpus Reports?The thesis of this book is straightforward: healthy, life-giving celibacy is a charism given to relatively few people, and mandating it for all who want to be priests, whether or not they have received the charism, causes unnecessary suffering and hardships.? Church?Cozzens makes it clear from his introduction onward that he views mandatory celibacy for diocesan priests as, at best, problematic. His arguments are clear and concise. One hopes that this book will not only be read by those who already agree with him.? Church?This is an excellent resource for Catholics and others who wish to increase their understanding of the complex issues related to Church law on priestly celibacy and Cozzens? views on homosexuality in seminaries and sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy.? Writing Works?Much more effectively than other, more famous critics of priestly celibacy, Cozzens teaches as well as advocates.? Booklist?This reading regards silence and passivity as no longer acceptable for lay Catholics who want to actively participate with and in the church. . . . After reading this highly insightful and fearless author, my question stands: Do we stay ?exiled? from our own faith, or do we have a ?faith that dares to speak??? Ministry & Liturgy?Cozzens seeks to free celibacy from its judicial strangehold. Celibacy is a charism freely given by the Holy Spirit, which is intended to be freely offered to God and the community. Celibacy?s charism is total radical self-giving love through life-long abstinence from sexual relations. Ironically, mandating celibacy through Church law makes celibacy an obligation for many who do not have the charism, and offers the false promise that the gift will come through obedience to the law. Can we continue to impose celibacy as a law on diocesan clergy, many of whom do not have the charism? Cozzens mounts historical, theological, and pastoral reasons why the mandate should end.? Kathleen A. Cahalan Associate Professor Saint John?s University School of Theology and Seminary ?Here is what we need to know about the relatively short history of mandatory celibacy for diocesan priests, about its nature, its giftedness, and its difficulty. Cozzens writes with directness, honesty, and respect?for celibacy, for those who attempt it, and for those who will not free it for the good of all God?s people. And we don?t need to be ordained priests to appreciate what he says and to see celibacy in a new light. This is such a fine book!? Stefanie Weisgram, O.S.B.Collection Development Librarian and Theology Bibliographer for the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John?s University and the School of Theology?Many have questioned whether there is sufficient connection between priesthood and celibacy to warrant the Roman Rite requirement that only celibates be ordained. Few, however have argued as cogently as Donald Cozzens for that requirement to be abandoned. As a Bishop from Oceania, a region where the requirement of celibacy for ordination leads to a continued dearth of priests for evangelization, pastoral care and regular celebration of the Mass, I am deeply grateful to Donald Cozzens for setting out so compellingly the arguments for an urgent review of the present discipline in the Roman Rite. Pastoral bishops arguing for a reconsideration of the present insistence that Roman Rite priests be celibates, will be both helped and heartened by Donald Cozzens admirable review of the ecclesial and pastoral value of mandatory celibacy.?Cardinal Thomas Williams Archbishop of Wellington New Zealand?This nuanced and sensitive book cries out for a serious review of mandated celibacy. With this book Father Cozzens has given a great gift to the church. Hopefully, the church will listen.? Robert S. Bennett Former Member USCCB National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People?Using part of the title of his last book, we can definitely say that Donald Cozzens ?dares to speak??and thank God for him and his commitment to the truth. In Freeing Celibacy he explores the theology, history, and sociology of both mandated and charismatic clerical celibacy. He looks at the reality of church governance and listens to the testimony of priests and laity. He recognizes and lauds the power and grace of the genuine charism of priestly celibacy, but celibacy merely mandated yields unnecessary problems and horrors for him. He amasses his evidence in such a compelling way that even the hierarchs may hear him: Mandated celibacy is ready for repeal!? Andrew P. Connolly Saint Francis de Sales Parish Patchogue, New York?Donald Cozzens brings a wealth of background and experience to this book?a priest for forty years, a psychologist, a theologian, a former seminary rector and professor, a well known Catholic author, and a perceptive observer of the U.S. Catholic scene. As a result he makes a clear, cogent, convincing and truly Catholic case that the charism of celibacy is a gift for the church but the obligation of priestly celibacy hinders the ministry of the church today.? Charles E. Curran Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas?Combining history, theology, pastoral experience and sincere love for the church, Freeing Celibacy is a courageous, forward-looking book